I'm still working on feeling comfortable being ME . . . how about you?

There are many things that we can blame for tearing down our self-esteem.


If you've read my book or other work, or have even been to one of my talks; you know that I don't think it's helpful for me to blame other people and circumstances for how I feel.


Teasing, bullying, sarcasm: I could tell you how teasing made me very self-conscious; bullying made me very quiet; and how being around people who regularly use sarcasm as a means of communication made me confused as to what these people were actually trying to say- in the end having a skewed perspective of loving communication.

I could tell you this (and I kinda' did) but I can also tell you how these things strengthened me: being teased caused me to question other people's reality compared to mine; bullying eventually encouraged me to learn to speak up; and learning to distinguish sarcasm helped me to be clearer with my communication with others.


So, why do I still feel the need to encourage myself to be ME?


I don't know. I've opted for a new approach in life...


I used to be very focused on finding the reasons 'why' behind things. But that's just it... I ended up continuing to look behind.


Granted, we can gain some great insight when we take a number of things into consideration; but what I'm sharing was my decision to be very decisive on where I FOCUS.


Here's a great illustration...


There's a principle in motorsports (particularly with motorcycles and bikes) that you end up going where you are focusing. If you are focusing on the corner that you feel like you might not make (AKA going off the track) you'll more than likely end up off the track... where you were looking!


I can make changes because I want to recreate me or create a new situation.  Most of us learn to blame and move away from what we don't like (which is focusing off the track).


At the height of having physical complications, I was so focused 'off the track' and fearful of every turn, my body mirrored this stress.


I'm still amazed by how much my body shows me my inner thoughts.


It's like metaphorical things are happening all the time!

That is, when I felt shy, timid, victimized- ashamed to be in my own body... when I felt like my skin was a separate part of me physically and emotionally; at this time I did not 'feel comfortable in my own skin' and the whole time my skin reacted very much the same way; like it didn't feel comfortable with me either!


I had extremely dry skin that would crack and bleed. Painful, yes . . . very! It was so painful that I would wear only certain clothing as most materials rubbing against my skin felt agonizing. Denim was the worst!


Through being overweight, underweight, having painful skin and digestive issues and other related health issues, I was continually feeling less and less connected with my body.


Over time I learned to reconnect, even though it meant recognizing the pain that was physically or emotionally there.


Eventually I was able to understand what my body was telling me.  It (my body)...  just needed me to listen... really listen! And CARE for it/ME!


Every day is a step along my journey to being more ME and letting my true nature come out. I'm guessing it is for you too- otherwise you wouldn't have read this far. :)


You'll see my brand changing to #WeightFreeWellness  ...a message that has been inside me all along, and with a lot of prayer, meditation and some good conversations- was shown to me that this is a fitting moniker for what I LOVE to offer.


You'll be seeing more of ME come out because it makes me happy and is comforting to know that my past struggles and lessons can help make someone else's journey even a little (or even A LOT) more easeful.



I would love to hear from you...

How do you help yourself feel comfortable in your own skin?

or

What's your favorite activity- one in which you feel you are totally you... no matter who's around?


I look forward to your responses - and inspiration for others!

Live in your skin - TarasBook.com